Say What You Mean

Vocabulary and translation, exercises, games — lessons — from Karen Press for you to get your head, mouth, and pen around. Comment below with your answers, successful students to receive two tickets to freedom (courtesy of The Canary’s Songbook).

My name is [ ].
I’m sorry you were colonised.
I am not to blame.
It is not my fault you were colonised.

I am not a coloniser.
I am a [visitor/ traveller/ student/].
I live here.
Do you speak [language name]?
That is my language.
Will you help me?

Please speak more slowly.
Please speak more softly.
Please speak

May I speak?
May I be silent?

Thank you.

LESSON 8

Vocabulary:

who
where
what
why
how
when

Simple sentences

Who is in charge?
Why can’t I stay?

What is the reason?
When does it open?
Where must I stand?
How do I find out?

Where will you go
without me?

How shall I live
without you?

When will it all
be over?

Why does it
never end?

Who will come here
to find me?

What will
become of me?

PRACTICE USING NEW VOCABULARY

Fill in the missing word

[ ] shot you?
[ ] is my child?
[ ] can I go back to my house?
[ ] did they shoot you?
[ ] can I get a permit?
[ ] must I pay you?

Answer these questions

When did you come here?
How did you come here?
Why did you come here?
What do you want?
Who lives in your house?
Why do they live there?
Where can you go?
When can you go?
Who can go with you?
How will you survive?
Will you survive?

COMPREHENSION EXERCISE

Read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow

Sani ran into the room. ‘Where did you put it?’ he shouted.
‘What are you talking about?’ Lilian answered.
‘They’re here! Give it to me now!’ Sani was sweating with fear.
‘Who’s here? What’s the matter with you?’ Lilian stood up, and moved to stand between Sani and the table.
‘Why do you always bring your problems into this house?’ she said angrily. She tried to him towards the door.
Sani was looking at the suitcase under the table.
‘It’s there, isn’t it?’ he and grabbed Sani’s arms. ‘Give it to me. They’ll come in here themselves if I don’t – ’
Lilian pushed him away. ‘You made this mess, now you must fix it. How you do it is your problem. Go, go!’
Sani knocked her aside and lunged for the case.

1. What is Sani afraid of?
2. Where is Lilian?
3. Why does Sani want the suitcase?
4. Who is outside?
5. How does Lilian feel?
6. What will happen next? Write the next paragraph of the story.